A hot dog franchise born in Foley, Alabama, will soon be enjoyed in Pensacola when Wacked Out Weiner moves into a strip mall on Pine Forest Road in July.

The chain restaurant will open near the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds at 6675 Pine Forest Road, occupying Suite 5. The kitchen and dining area take up 1,460 square feet, and the restaurant seats up to 25 customers. It will offer takeout and be available to customers through the Waitr app.

Franchisee Kevin Richardson said he hopes to open the Wacked Out Weiner on July 18 — National Hot Dog Day.

Serving Nathan's all-beef hot dogs and Polk's cajun and smoked sausage, the hot dog restaurant's customization makes it unique. There are more than 30 toppings to choose from, ranging from hot or sweet Chow Chow (pickled relish) to BBQ baked beans, sauerkraut and various sauces and spices.

The Wacked Out Weiner offers more than 30 topping choices and an array of unique hot dog combination styles.(Photo11: Courtesy of Kevin Richardson/Wacked Out Weiner Pensacola)

Traditional dogs are available, as are popular styles like the Chicago Dog, but Wacked Out Weiner gets much wackier than that with some of its combinations.

"The Backyard Dog is our top seller by far," said Richardson. "It has spicy mustard on it, baked beans, onions, jalapeños, coleslaw and is topped with BBQ sauce. Oh, it is amazing. Or, our No. 2 seller is the Wacky Macky. That's our hot dog with macaroni and cheese and bacon on top of it."

They also serve Frito pies and loaded nachos, as well as sides, chips and drinks.

The state of Florida approved the plan review for the restaurant and it's now going through the permitting process with Escambia County. Richardson said that process should be completed in just about three weeks.

A current Lillian, Alabama, resident, Richardson said he fell in love with the array of hot dog styles and the restaurant's atmosphere as a frequent customer in 2016 and 2017. After initially balking at the idea of running his own store when offered in January by owners Mark Clifford and Laurie Rickles Clifford, the retired Marine came around to opening his very own Wacked Out Weiner in his hometown of Pensacola.

"At first I said, 'Oh guys, I don't think so, I'm pretty happy with my life. I spent 20 years in the military and I wanted to kind of live a low-key life,'" Richardson recalled. "But then that voice started getting louder and louder, and I went back a month later and I said, 'OK, tell me a bit more about it, you kind of have my curiosity piqued a little bit.'"

Richardson looked at the opportunity as a way to help his family while doing something he thoroughly enjoyed. And he backs the products 100 percent.

The location choice was well researched by Richardson, who said projected growth in Northwest Pensacola attracted him to the area. The Wacked Out Weiner's new home is just 6 miles from the Navy Federal Credit Union on Heritage Oaks Drive.

"The fairgrounds are there, the Five Flags Speedway is right over there, and I think there's over 114,000 people that live within a 5-mile radius of that area," Richardson said. "I think I'll probably adjust my hours to accommodate those 10 days that the Fair is going on."

Richardson said the plan is to operate from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and close on Sundays.